1|Page
POLS 207 – Dyer | Exam 1 Actual Test (Full-Length
200 Questions + Answers + Rationales) American State
and Local Government | Texas A&M University | 2025
Study Edition
Disclaimer
This is an original study guide and exam resource, created to aid in academic review.
It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Texas A&M University or Professor Dyer.
All questions are designed to simulate real exam content for educational purposes only.
NB: ALL EXAM 1 VERSIONS
1. What is the primary purpose of a state constitution?
A. To control national government power
B. To establish and limit the powers of state government
C. To regulate federal taxation
D. To define international treaties
Rationale A state constitution outlines and restricts the state’s powers, serving as
the foundation of governance.
2. The concept of federalism is best defined as:
A. Rule by a single national government
B. Separation of powers among branches
C. Division of power between national and state governments
D. Power shared only among states
Rationale Federalism divides authority between federal and state governments.
,2|Page
3. Which of the following is NOT a power reserved to the states under the
10th Amendment?
A. Education policy
B. Declaring war
C. Public safety
D. Election regulation
Rationale Declaring war is an enumerated power of the federal government.
4. What type of political culture does Texas primarily have, according to
Daniel Elazar?
A. Moralistic
B. Individualistic-traditionalistic hybrid
C. Collectivist
D. Populist
Rationale Texas combines individualism (self-reliance) with traditionalism
(respect for established authority).
5. Which statement accurately describes the Texas Constitution of 1876?
A. It created a strong governor
B. It centralized power
C. It limited government power and emphasized local control
D. It gave the governor unlimited veto power
Rationale Written after Reconstruction, it sought to decentralize power and restrict
state authority.
6. Which document created the structure of federalism in the United States?
A. Articles of Confederation
B. U.S. Constitution
C. Declaration of Independence
D. Federalist Papers
,3|Page
Rationale The U.S. Constitution defines the relationship between state and
national governments.
7. Which branch of Texas government interprets the law?
A. Executive
B. Legislative
C. Judicial
D. Bureaucratic
Rationale The judicial branch interprets and applies state law.
8. The Texas Legislature is a:
A. Unicameral body
B. Bicameral body composed of the House and Senate
C. Council-based system
D. Federal-style assembly
Rationale Like the U.S. Congress, Texas has two chambers—House and Senate.
9. Who presides over the Texas Senate?
A. Speaker of the House
B. Lieutenant Governor
C. Governor
D. Majority Leader
Rationale The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate and controls
committee appointments.
10. Which of the following best describes “home rule” cities in Texas?
A. Towns under direct state control
B. Cities with populations over 5,000 that adopt their own charter
C. Counties without elected officials
, 4|Page
D. Cities created by federal approval
Rationale Home rule cities operate under a local charter approved by voters.
11. Dillon’s Rule states that:
A. Local governments have full independence
B. Local governments only possess powers granted by the state
C. Counties can overrule state laws
D. States must defer to cities
Rationale Under Dillon’s Rule, local governments exist at the discretion of the
state.
12. The Texas Bill of Rights is found in which article of the Texas
Constitution?
A. Article 3
B. Article 10
C. Article 1
D. Article 17
Rationale Article 1 of the Texas Constitution lists individual rights, similar to the
U.S. Bill of Rights.
13. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution reserves powers not delegated
to the national government?
A. 9th
B. 10th
C. 11th
D. 14th
Rationale The 10th Amendment reserves undelegated powers to the states or the
people.
14. What type of government is a county in Texas?
POLS 207 – Dyer | Exam 1 Actual Test (Full-Length
200 Questions + Answers + Rationales) American State
and Local Government | Texas A&M University | 2025
Study Edition
Disclaimer
This is an original study guide and exam resource, created to aid in academic review.
It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Texas A&M University or Professor Dyer.
All questions are designed to simulate real exam content for educational purposes only.
NB: ALL EXAM 1 VERSIONS
1. What is the primary purpose of a state constitution?
A. To control national government power
B. To establish and limit the powers of state government
C. To regulate federal taxation
D. To define international treaties
Rationale A state constitution outlines and restricts the state’s powers, serving as
the foundation of governance.
2. The concept of federalism is best defined as:
A. Rule by a single national government
B. Separation of powers among branches
C. Division of power between national and state governments
D. Power shared only among states
Rationale Federalism divides authority between federal and state governments.
,2|Page
3. Which of the following is NOT a power reserved to the states under the
10th Amendment?
A. Education policy
B. Declaring war
C. Public safety
D. Election regulation
Rationale Declaring war is an enumerated power of the federal government.
4. What type of political culture does Texas primarily have, according to
Daniel Elazar?
A. Moralistic
B. Individualistic-traditionalistic hybrid
C. Collectivist
D. Populist
Rationale Texas combines individualism (self-reliance) with traditionalism
(respect for established authority).
5. Which statement accurately describes the Texas Constitution of 1876?
A. It created a strong governor
B. It centralized power
C. It limited government power and emphasized local control
D. It gave the governor unlimited veto power
Rationale Written after Reconstruction, it sought to decentralize power and restrict
state authority.
6. Which document created the structure of federalism in the United States?
A. Articles of Confederation
B. U.S. Constitution
C. Declaration of Independence
D. Federalist Papers
,3|Page
Rationale The U.S. Constitution defines the relationship between state and
national governments.
7. Which branch of Texas government interprets the law?
A. Executive
B. Legislative
C. Judicial
D. Bureaucratic
Rationale The judicial branch interprets and applies state law.
8. The Texas Legislature is a:
A. Unicameral body
B. Bicameral body composed of the House and Senate
C. Council-based system
D. Federal-style assembly
Rationale Like the U.S. Congress, Texas has two chambers—House and Senate.
9. Who presides over the Texas Senate?
A. Speaker of the House
B. Lieutenant Governor
C. Governor
D. Majority Leader
Rationale The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate and controls
committee appointments.
10. Which of the following best describes “home rule” cities in Texas?
A. Towns under direct state control
B. Cities with populations over 5,000 that adopt their own charter
C. Counties without elected officials
, 4|Page
D. Cities created by federal approval
Rationale Home rule cities operate under a local charter approved by voters.
11. Dillon’s Rule states that:
A. Local governments have full independence
B. Local governments only possess powers granted by the state
C. Counties can overrule state laws
D. States must defer to cities
Rationale Under Dillon’s Rule, local governments exist at the discretion of the
state.
12. The Texas Bill of Rights is found in which article of the Texas
Constitution?
A. Article 3
B. Article 10
C. Article 1
D. Article 17
Rationale Article 1 of the Texas Constitution lists individual rights, similar to the
U.S. Bill of Rights.
13. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution reserves powers not delegated
to the national government?
A. 9th
B. 10th
C. 11th
D. 14th
Rationale The 10th Amendment reserves undelegated powers to the states or the
people.
14. What type of government is a county in Texas?
